I am writing to thank Bayston Hill Parish Council for its role in helping to launch the new Charter for Trees, Woods and People earlier this year. The Local Council Charter Branch network has surpassed all expectations, planting hundreds of Legacy Trees and collecting thousands of signatures. You have made a great contribution to strengthening the voice of the Tree Charter. If you have not done so already, you can now visit the new Tree Charter website and read the 10 Principles of the Tree Charter in their entirety. Each principle is accompanied by evidence, articles and calls to action. After Christmas we will be entering a new phase of the Tree Charter project. The Charter Branch network will be rejuvenated, with new projects and activities for local councils to get involved with. In addition, we are looking forward to the release of our local council Tree Charter toolkit early next year, which will translate the 10 Principles of the Tree Charter into tangible actions your council may take. The launch of the Tree Charter is just the beginning of an exciting new time for trees in the UK. By embracing the Tree Charter councils have placed themselves at the centre of the conversation about policy and practice regarding trees. By adopting and enacting the 10 Principles of the Tree Charter, councils will become a leading force for improving the relationship between trees and people in the United Kingdom. After Christmas, I will be leaving NALC. Please direct all future inquires to the treecharter@woodlandtrust.org.uk Best wishes, Joseph Palasz Like us on Facebook Follow us on twitter